For any dog owner out there, you will come to learn that our beloved pets often suffer from similar problems that we all face, including itchiness. The itchy skin that our dogs suffer from can be caused by a multitude of issues, which also means that there are plenty of solutions to relieve the situation as well. In this article, we are going to discuss what problems can cause itchy skin for your pooch, as well as the various relief solutions that can help as well. So, let's get started!

What Causes Itchy Skin For My Dog?

Did you know that there is actually a technical term for the consistent itching and scratching that your dog may be doing on a regular basis? It's called pruritus, and it is a term that your dog's veterinarian will use if the itching reaches excessive or severe levels. This itching can be caused by many different factors, as we have mentioned before. One of these factors is that of dry skin, which can often be noticed if your dog has flakes or dandruff falling off of their fur. This is a problem that often affects humans as well; It can be brought on by things such as where you are living (if it is an area of low humidity) or even sometimes depending on diet. Another factor that can trigger itchiness in your pet is food allergies. Yes, your dog can suffer from food allergies, especially when they are fed scraps from the table! Although this is a little more difficult to diagnose at home, some of the symptoms of allergies can be the itching along with dry and/or oily skin.

How Can I Relieve My Dog's Itchiness?

If you have concerns about the itching and scratching that your dog is doing, especially if it is turning into chewing and causing wounds, it may be best to turn to your local veterinarian. They will be able to diagnose the underlying issue that is causing the itching and biting, and in most cases, will also prescribe certain medications or probiotics that will help to solve the problem. Your vet will also be able to give you recommendations in terms of grooming and diet changes that can help to relieve some of the issues as well. 

Natural Remedies For The Itching

If you are unable to see your dogs vet immediately, or if you are fairly confident that you know what the underlying problem is, there are a slew of natural remedies that you can try to bring on some relief. Because the most common issue that causes the itchiness is dry skin, many of the natural remedies out there will help to bring more moisture back to the affected area. That being said, some helpful remedies are drizzling ingredients such as olive oil (which restores moisture) over your dog's food.  You man even try adding plain yogurt, which acts as an awesome probiotic, to your pooch's meal. It only takes a small amount to do the trick!

If adding ingredients to your dog's kibble isn't quite cutting it, it may be time to try solutions that work topically. A fantastic natural remedy for itchiness is the use of coconut oil. You can even find coconut oil solutions that are made specifically for your family pet! Another popular remedy is bathing your dog in an apple cider vinegar and water concoction or simply applying it to the affected area (but make sure to avoid open wounds!). Finally, you can opt for giving your dog an oatmeal bath. To do this, you will want to make sure to grind up the oatmeal into a fine powder before adding it to the bath water, and you will want to keep your dog soaking in the solution for at least 15 minutes- as difficult as that may be!

It's no fun to see your dog suffering, even if it is just from itchiness due to dry skin or dog allergies. Luckily for us, there are many different natural remedies and other solutions to help relieve this dry skin on dogs. Make sure to take the time to do the research if you see your dog itching more and more each day. If the pruritus seems to be getting more severe to the point of bleeding, however, it may be time to get in touch with your vet to make sure it isn't an issue that is more serious. We hope that this article has enlightened you and helped you find the answers that you need to keep your dog's itching and scratching at bay.

If your dog is allergic to grass or similar environmental factors, try using our doggy shoes and dog clothing to help protect your pet's skin and prevent further damage from excessive scratching.